Malaysia Urges Accelerated Delivery of FA-50M Light Combat Aircraft
Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has called for the expedited delivery of 18 FA-50M light combat aircraft ordered by Malaysia from South Korea.
Browsing tag
Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has called for the expedited delivery of 18 FA-50M light combat aircraft ordered by Malaysia from South Korea.
By October 2026, the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) is set to receive the first batch of four FA-50M (FA-50 Block 20) light combat aircraft, part of a total order of 18 aircraft developed by South Korea’s aerospace giant, Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI).
The decision on whether Malaysia will procure a second batch of 18 more FA-50M light combat aircraft from Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) depends on the progress of the contract for the first batch of 18 jets.
During Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin’s working visit to the Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) facilities, he witnessed the signing of an agreement between local company Ikramatic Systems Sdn Bhd and KAI.
Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin concluded his five-day working visit to South Korea with visits to Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) in Sacheon and Hanwha Aerospace in Changwon.
By October 2026, the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) is set to receive the first batch of four FA-50M (FA-50 Block 20) light combat aircraft, part of a total order of 18 aircraft developed by South Korea’s aerospace giant, Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI).
The procurement contract for 18 FA-50M light fighter aircraft (FA-50 Block 20) by Malaysia from Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) is progressing smoothly, with assembly of the aircraft having reached 37 percent completion as of the end of July.
Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) has expressed its confidence that the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) will exercise the option to acquire another batch of 18 units of FA-50M light combat aircraft, bringing the total number of the fighter aircraft it will possess to 36 units.
The development progress of 18 units of the FA-50M light fighter aircraft for the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) has currently reached 30 percent, with the first aircraft expected to be delivered by October 2026.
Six Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) pilots are set to embark on intensive training to operate the FA-50M light fighter aircraft at the onset of 2026, according to a report from the national news agency, BERNAMA, citing an industry source.